Page:Victor Hugo's Works (Guernsey Edition) v14.djvu/43

Rh

Mistress or maid, man, I will not be balked;

'T is for her good. I know the sex; she pines

In her captivity. I'll find a cage

More fitting such a bird as you've described.

Your hand on 't: not a whisper to Bertuccio!

You force me! There's my hand! I will not speak

A word to him!

That's like a trusty liegeman

Of blind Lord Cupid!—Hark! a word with you. [ and Lords talk apart, C.

I'll save her from this wrong, or lose myself.

What tie there is betwixt these two, I know not,—

How one so fair and seeming gentle 's linked

With one so foul and bitter, a buffoon,

Who makes his vile office viler still

By prompting to the evil that he mocks.

But I will 'gage my life that she is pure,

And still shall be so, if my aid avail!

Once more, my lord: you'll not be stayed from this

That you propose?

Unconscionable bard!

What! when you've set my mouth a-watering

You'd have me put the dainty morsel from me?

Go, feed on signs and shadows! Such thin stuff

Is the best diet for you singing birds;

We eagles must have flesh!